Since the easing of restrictions and COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, car accident fatalities increased at an alarming rate. Statistics have shown that car accidents remain a major concern for drivers, however, 2022 may have revealed a decline in overall fatalities for the first time in 2 years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its early estimates of car accident fatalities for 2022. Here is a look at some of the trends highlighted in the agency’s report.
Car Accident Fatalities Decreased in 2022
Total traffic fatalities for 2022: 42,795
The NHTSA has projected total motor-vehicle traffic fatalities at 42,795. In comparison to 2021, there were 42,939 fatalities marking a decrease of 0.3%. The fourth quarter of 2022 was the third straight quarterly decline in fatalities following seven consecutive quarters of year-over-year increases dating back to Q3 of 2020.
Traffic fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled: 1.35
This decrease in fatalities happened despite Americans driving more miles in 2022 by 0.9%, or about 29.3 billion more miles in comparison to 2021. Per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2022, there were 1.35 fatalities, a year-over-year decrease of 0.02. In spite of this decrease, 2022 has the second highest fatality rate per 100 million VMT over the last 12 years, trailing 2021’s rate of 1.37 fatalities.
Regional Car Accident Fatality Trends
The NHTSA divides the US into ten regions. Five of the ten regions experienced an increase in fatalities.
Regions with an increase in car accident deaths
- Region 1: VT, ME, NH, RI, MA. +8%
- Region 2: NY, PA, CT, NJ. +1%
- Region 8: NV, UT, WY, CO, SD, ND. +4%
- Region 9: CA, AZ, HI. +5%
- Region 10: AK, WA, OR, ID, MT. +<1%
Regions with a decrease in car accident deaths
- Region 3: KY, WV, NC, VA, MD, DE, DC. -1%
- Region 4: TN, AL, GA, SC, FL. -2%
- Region 5: MN, WI, IL, IN, MI OH. -3%
- Region 6: NM, TX, OK, LA, MS. -3%
- Region 7: NE, KS, IA, MO, AR. -<1%
Notable State Car Accident Fatality Statistics for 2022
Arizona
Change: +11.1%
Fatality Rate per 100 VMT: 1.76
2022 Deaths: 1,311
California
Change: +2.8%
Fatality Rate per 100 VMT: 1.80
2022 Deaths: 4,407
Colorado
Change: +9.6%
Fatality Rate per 100 VMT: 1.31
2022 Deaths: 757
Florida
Change: -2.3%
Fatality Rate per 100 VMT: 1.53
2022 Deaths: 3,652
Georgia
Change: -0.6%
Fatality Rate per 100 VMT: 1.41
2022 Deaths: 1,786
Louisiana
Change: -9.2%
Fatality Rate per 100 VMT: 1.67
2022 Deaths: 883
Nevada
Change: +2.9%
Fatality Rate per 100 VMT: 1.42
2022 Deaths: 396
New York
Change: -0.8%
Fatality Rate per 100 VMT: 1.04
2022 Deaths: 1,148
Texas
Change: 0.0%
Fatality Rate per 100 VMT: 1.55
2022 Deaths: 4,496
Limitations
These numbers are based on preliminary data so as more information is collected from sources, this data may fluctuate. As it stands, the trends are promising showing an overall decrease in car accident fatalities. After 7 consecutive quarters of decline, any drop in fatality rates is welcome. However, there is still some work to do- 2022 experienced a rate of 1.35 fatalities per 100 million VMT which is the second highest rate in the past 12 years. This study does not provide information on the causes of car accidents, however, common causes of car accidents are not expected to have varied much. Read about common causes here by Koch & Brim.